King James Version

What Does Hosea 13:3 Mean?

Hosea 13:3 in the King James Version says “Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with t...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.”

Hosea 13:3 · KJV

Context

1

When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

2

And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves. they sin: Heb. they add to sin the men: or, the sacrificers of men

3

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

4

Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

5

I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. great: Heb. droughts

Read Hosea 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Transience like vapor: 'Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.' Four similes describe transience: כַּעֲנַן־בֹּקֶר (ka'anan-boqer, morning cloud), כַּטַּל מַשְׁכִּים (katal mashkim, early dew), כְּמֹץ (kemots, chaff) driven from threshing floor, כֶּעָשָׁן (ke'ashan, smoke) from window. All vanish quickly, leaving nothing. This demonstrates that life apart from God is vapor—substance and permanence require covenant relationship. Only Christ gives eternal life transcending transience (John 10:28).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Each metaphor draws from Palestinian climate and agriculture: morning clouds dissipate as sun rises; dew evaporates quickly; chaff blows away during winnowing; smoke disperses from cooking fires. All known to agricultural society, powerfully communicating evanescence. Applied to Israel: their apparent prosperity, strength, security—all temporary, vanishing when divine judgment arrives. Psalm 37:20, 68:2 use similar imagery. Archaeological evidence shows northern kingdom's prosperity ended swiftly in Assyrian conquest—within decades from peak prosperity to total disappearance. This demonstrates that human achievements apart from God lack permanence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the four metaphors (cloud, dew, chaff, smoke) emphasize complete, swift vanishing?
  2. What does this transience teach about building life on temporal foundations versus eternal Rock (Christ)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 12
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יִֽהְיוּ֙2 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּעֲנַן3 of 12

“cloud”

H6051

a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

בֹּ֔קֶר4 of 12

“Therefore they shall be as the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וְכַטַּ֖ל5 of 12

“dew”

H2919

dew (as covering vegetation)

מַשְׁכִּ֣ים6 of 12

“and as the early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

הֹלֵ֑ךְ7 of 12

“that passeth away”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

כְּמֹץ֙8 of 12

“as the chaff”

H4671

chaff (as pressed out, i.e., winnowed or (rather) threshed loose)

יְסֹעֵ֣ר9 of 12

“that is driven with the whirlwind”

H5590

to rush upon; by implication, to toss (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

מִגֹּ֔רֶן10 of 12

“out of the floor”

H1637

a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area

וּכְעָשָׁ֖ן11 of 12

“and as the smoke”

H6227

smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)

מֵאֲרֻבָּֽה׃12 of 12

“out of the chimney”

H699

a lattice; (by implication) a window, dovecot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hosea. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hosea 13:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hosea 13:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 68:2Psalms 1:4Hosea 6:4Isaiah 17:13Daniel 2:35Isaiah 41:15-16

Test Your Knowledge

Hosea 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHosea Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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